In these days of uncertainty, of rising prices and ever rising energy consumption, is this not the perfect time to consider simplifying our lives.

In my humble opinion the population at large has to be much less selfish and spoiled. We must all seriously consider, at least for the next few years, giving up luxurious living, using water and energy as though it grows on trees, spending more money than we can afford on unnecessary vehicles, large luxurious homes with all the expenses that these luxuries entail. Does it not make sense to get out of debt?

How much longer can this planet survive if we continue to teach our children and grandchildren that more is better?

I have been trying to sell my 1.86 acre desert property (see above picture) for over six months now without any offers. I believe the main reason for this is that I have an older single wide mobile home which most people either do not want or cannot finance.

Of course the sellers market is non-existent at this time, why, because people have been so greedy; previously, property prices were exploding out of all proportion.

Now the bubble has burst, as of course it was bound to do. Foreclosures are increasing in droves, people losing their homes because they were unwilling to simplify and settle for something less than they had. Well now they have a lot less, they don't even have a home in a lot of cases.

We have to ask ourselves where does that leave our children? Is it their fault that their parents only think of themselves and not the larger picture? I think not.

It is time we got back to nature and consider our Mother Earth more.

Returning to living off the land a little, growing our own vegetables, raising chickens, using their waste to enrich the soil, eating the wonderful fresh laid eggs they produce, would benefit everyone.

It is also time, I think to re-introduce the native way of living; taking from the earth only what is needed instead of grabbing everything now.

When the natives lived here freely, before the last century, they killed for food, clothing, and their housing. When they cut down a tree it was just that, one tree. They used only what they needed for a particular ceremony or purpose. They didn't take every tree surrounding it!!

I wonder how long it will be before we all have to surrender to the earth. If we don't volunteer to do this very soon it will be forced upon us by circumstances, and those circumstances are getting closer and closer to reality.

www.bennyville-spiritofthedesert.com